creating dvd menus with Nero 7

[lordmajax]

I'm trying to burn a dvd but without the cheesy borders that nero offers. What I wanted to do is create a menu similar to professional dvds. I'd like there to be play and chapters options. Also, could someone tell me how to put a vid clip in the background of my dvd menu screen. I'd like it to repeat and it's a 6 second long clip. Thanks

[mats.hogberg]

Not with Nero you can't.
I suggest DVD-Lab Pro. Best bang for bucks IMO.

/Mats

[LloydAZ]

You can do a background motion menu in NeroVision Express, just not a text menu. You're stuck with the thumbnail view menu.

For a background motion menu, after adding video files and clicking next, Nero will show the default menu. Double-click on the menu, and it will show a box on the right hand side of the screen saying "What would you like to change?" Move over the one marked "Background."

At the top of the box that pops open you will see three icons, the middle one is probably checked for the background picture. The First one is for a solid color background, the middle for a static photo background, and the right is for a motion video background. Check that one.

Your current list of videos will show up in the list, but if you are wanting a different video than what you have in the project, use the browse function to find the file and import it in to the list.

Under "Automatization" you will need to set the length of time to run the motion menu (in your case, 6 seconds.)

You can also use the background settings to add an audio clip to a static picture.

Make any other changes that you need to, the compile the DVD as usual.


I agree fully with mats.hogberg about using DVD-Lab Pro. It will give you much better control over your menu creation and DVD compilation. Well worth the money.

[lordmajax]

great, thanks so much for the advice and help. I am definitely thinking of trashing Nero for DVD-Lab Pro. Ok, another question. How is dvd-lab pro at burning projects?

[LloydAZ]

great, thanks so much for the advice and help. I am definitely thinking of trashing Nero for DVD-Lab Pro. Ok, another question. How is dvd-lab pro at burning projects?

I create the project and compile the DVD to the hard drive. Then I use ImgTools Classic to create an ISO image and use IMGBurn to burn the disc. This works great. I have never tried burning directly from DVD-Lab.

[mats.hogberg]

compile the DVD to the hard drive. Then I use ImgTools Classic to create an ISO image and use IMGBurn to burn the disc.

Ditto. Using the best alternative there is for each step in the process is the way to go.

/Mats

[lordmajax]

Great, thanks for the advice.

[classfour]

DVD Lab's burning is so, so. LloydAZ is right on. If you don't want to use IMGBurn, you can use DVDDecryptor

[lordmajax]

So, I guess I should toss Nero then?

[byteguy]

So, I guess I should toss Nero then?

Yes. Dump it.

I also played with a bunch of the "friendly" programs that came with my capture card and DVD burner. Eventually, I ran into the same limitations you are hitting and got rid of them.

I've used DVD-LAB Standard and DVD-LAB Studio. They take a bit of learning but the control and quality is SO much better.

I've never had any real problem with the DVD-LAB burning module. It's just a bit basic and annoyed me in how it flowed (more my fault than its).

Download the trial version and give it a shot. Make sure you take time to read the tutorials and browse the help file.

The only downside is that DVD-LAB expects compliant input files where Nero probably would take anything and re-encode it.

[lordmajax]

I have an ot follow up question. With Nero, it burnt some .wmv files. They are somewhat large and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to
1) shrink the file
2) change file extensions to make burn process quicker

[LloydAZ]

I have an ot follow up question. With Nero, it burnt some .wmv files. They are somewhat large and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to
1) shrink the file
2) change file extensions to make burn process quicker

Changing the file extension won't do anything. It's still a WMV file with a wrong file extension.

What is your ultimate use for these files? Keep and play on the computer? Make a DVD to use on your stand-alone DVD player? The answer will depend upon your goal.

[lordmajax]

I am trying to compress the vids to get all on 1 dvd. It will be for standalone dvd player with occasional use by my pc.

[mats.hogberg]

Then it's much more than a "burn process" you're looking at. First, the wmv is reencoded to DVD spec mpg, then it's authored, and the finally burned.
By using a dedicated encoder for the first step, you, not the application you use, decide what bitrate to use (=what size it will be).
Again, a good reason to use the best (mostly specialized) tool for each step.

/Mats

[lordmajax]

um, ok...so which program do I use to shrink the file?

[KBeee]

This is where you need to start reading the guides to the left

[lordmajax]

I just want to do this once or twice so I don't really want to become an expert converter. I just want to get through it.

[lordmajax]

why waste a message on telling me to read 1000000 guides. Just tell me which freaking program to use please, gawd.

[mats.hogberg]

I just want to do this once or twice so I don't really want to become an expert converter. I just want to get through it.

why waste a message on telling me to read 1000000 guides. Just tell me which freaking program to use please, gawd.

By all means, stick to Nero.
For one who just want this done once or twice, you have lots of requirements. There's no shortcuts just because you want to do it "once or twice" - you'll have to learn the same methods and software as if you'd do it 1000 times. Only shortcut I see is to take your source file to someone who knows how to do it, tell him/her what you want, hand pay for the service.
Either way, you'll have to pay - with your time and effort, or with your wallet.

/Mats

[lordsmurf]

I advise against DVD-Lab Pro. The software has a number of bugs, and the interface is not very intuitive. I suggest TMPGEnc DVD Author for newbies, and when you're ready to graduate to something even more advanced, look no further than Ulead DVD Workshop 2.